The Dunwoody City Council continued discussion of the Mount Vernon and Vermack roads intersection improvement. Council was presented multiple alternative solutions to the present intersection.

The first alternative has two parts. Part one has an estimated cost of $1.05 million. This solution requires the movement of a Georgia Power pole. Part two has an estimated cost of about $100,000 less since the power pole would not move because a slip lane would be created with an island around the pole. Each alternative contains added turn lanes with sidewalk and bike lane additions extended to Corners Drive.

The second alternative solution is estimated to cost $1.2 million. This is the most expensive estimation, but there will be additional sidewalk pavement added. This solution also provides an option not to move the power pole and directs widening more to the south side of the Mount Vernon Road intersection. This option extends the addition of sidewalks and bike lanes to Vernon Oaks Drive.

In a June public hearing, citizens expressed their main concerns for pedestrian safety, property lines and cut-through commuter traffic. The residents agreed the city needed to improve the intersection.

“I favor a plan that extends the sidewalk and bike lanes down like in options one and two,” District 3 Councilman Doug Thompson said. “A lot of citizens have expressed that they do not want a three or four lane road, they want turn lanes and that’s it.”

Most councilmembers expressed in agreement for the staff suggestion of the second alternative.

“There is no intent to increase travel on this road,” District 4 Councilman Terry Nall said. “It may be the width of a three lane road, but that would include space for turn lanes. I think we need to be very careful and look at cost effectively, since we may need to expand other intersections on Mount Vernon in the future. We need to think of the long term, think about Dunwoody 25 years out.”

City staff recommended the second alternative. Most councilmembers verbalized this as the best solution now, but also for future intersection expansions along Mount Vernon Road. Council also expressed intent to not add capacity for travel, but to ease congestion in the intersection.

What’s next?The concept drawings go to final design and then will return to city council for an approval. If council approves the design, a bidding process for the project will start.

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